Joe Sloan Says Bauer Sharp Is LSU’s Secret Weapon — And the Offense Might Run Through Him in 2025

When LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan talks about Bauer Sharp, he doesn’t speak like it’s just another guy in the tight end room. He lights up. There’s a tone shift — the kind you hear when someone’s talking about the piece of the puzzle they’ve been waiting for. To put it simply, Sloan believes Bauer Sharp could be the key to unlocking the full potential of LSU’s offense in 2025. And based on how things have been shaping up in camp, that’s not just coachspeak — it’s legit.

If you’re an LSU fan, the name Bauer Sharp has been floating around for a bit. He’s no stranger to Tiger football. But 2025 feels different. This is the year he’s not just in the rotation — he’s in the gameplan. And not in a “he might get two or three targets” kind of way. No, this season, Sharp might be one of the most important chess pieces in Sloan’s entire offensive strategy.

So what’s changed? For one, Sharp has completely transformed his game. Physically, he’s more imposing than ever. He’s bulked up without sacrificing his mobility, which makes him a nightmare matchup for defenses. Linebackers can’t stick with him in space. Safeties bounce off him in the red zone. Defensive coordinators are already losing sleep trying to figure out who can actually stay with him for four quarters. But it’s not just about size and speed — it’s the total package. Sharp understands coverages better now, he runs crisper routes, and he’s become a far more reliable blocker, which means he doesn’t have to come off the field on obvious run downs. That kind of versatility is everything in modern college football.

Sloan has been vocal about what Sharp allows this LSU offense to do schematically. He’s what coaches call a “formation eraser.” You line him up tight, and it looks like you’re in heavy personnel ready to run it down someone’s throat. Then, you motion him out into the slot or wide, and suddenly the defense is completely exposed in coverage. It’s that kind of flexibility that lets you run tempo without substituting, keeps defenses on their heels, and opens up the playbook in a big way.

And this isn’t just theory. Sloan has already shown in practices and scrimmages how central Sharp is to the offensive identity. They’ve been moving him around constantly — in-line, H-back, flexed out, even lined up in the backfield in some looks. They’re using him to set up mismatches, to draw coverage, and to block on the edge for bubble screens and outside runs. That’s not something you do with just any tight end. That’s what you do when you’ve got a dude. And LSU knows it’s got one in Sharp.

Let’s not forget the quarterback factor, either. LSU’s offense is transitioning into a new era under center, and having a tight end like Sharp is a huge asset for a young or newly installed quarterback. Tight ends are often the security blanket — the guy you look for on third and medium, the guy you trust in the red zone when windows are tight. Sharp is poised to be that guy. He’s already building chemistry with LSU’s quarterbacks in camp, and Sloan has said multiple times that Sharp’s ability to find soft spots in coverage and make contested catches will be a huge help in sustaining drives.

The bigger picture here is that LSU is trying to bring more balance to its offense. Yes, the Tigers have speed on the outside. Yes, they want to take shots downfield. But they also want to be physical. They want to control the clock when needed. They want to punish defenses with 10-play drives that wear people out. And that only works if your tight end can do it all — block, catch, and create mismatches. Bauer Sharp checks every box.

There’s also a leadership component that can’t be ignored. Sharp has stepped into a more vocal role this offseason. He’s helping younger guys get lined up. He’s talking to linemen after plays. He’s even getting in the mix in QB meetings to make sure the timing and route depths are locked in. Sloan has praised his football IQ more than once, noting how Sharp sees the game like a quarterback — he understands the whole picture, not just his assignment. That’s rare. That’s what turns good players into game-changers.

If you ask teammates about Sharp, the response is always the same: that guy’s a problem. Defensive backs hate lining up across from him. Linebackers struggle to cover him on seam routes. Even in practice, there’s this sense that Sharp is the guy you have to circle on the scouting report. And now, with the staff fully embracing his potential, he’s going to be unleashed in ways we haven’t seen before.

Of course, LSU isn’t short on playmakers. There are going to be plenty of mouths to feed in this offense. The wide receivers are deep and talented. The running backs bring a mix of power and explosiveness. But the unique thing about Sharp is that he makes life easier for everyone else. Line him up in the slot and suddenly your top receiver is getting single coverage. Keep him in to block and your quarterback has an extra second to find the deep route. He’s not just a threat — he’s a multiplier. He boosts the effectiveness of everyone around him just by being on the field.

And when it comes to red zone offense — one of LSU’s areas of focus heading into the season — Sharp might be the biggest weapon they have. His size, catch radius, and physicality make him a nightmare down inside the 20. You can isolate him, you can throw him jump balls, you can leak him out on play-action — the options are endless. LSU struggled at times last year finishing drives, settling for too many field goals. Sharp could be the guy who helps turn threes into sevens.

It’s not hard to see why Joe Sloan is so excited. He’s got a tight end who plays like a receiver, blocks like a tackle, and thinks like a quarterback. That’s not something you find every season, and when you do, you don’t take it for granted. LSU’s offense in 2025 is shaping up to be explosive, creative, and dangerous — and according to Sloan, it might all start with #87.

The best part? Sharp still hasn’t hit his ceiling. He’s improved every single year, and there’s no reason to think this season won’t be his biggest leap yet. He’s healthier. He’s smarter. He’s playing faster. And he’s entering a system that’s finally ready to revolve around his skill set. That’s a scary combo.

So, if you’re watching LSU this season and trying to figure out what makes this offense go, keep your eyes on the tight end. Because Bauer Sharp isn’t just a key contributor — he might just be the guy the whole thing turns on. And if Sloan is right, LSU could have a secret weapon on its hands that the rest of the SEC isn’t ready for.